Thread: Tea anyone ??!!

I don't think those to videos are comparable in any way.

The video fonthunter posted is—despite the music and lack of 'instruction'—an instructional video on how to brew puer in the traditional manner, and isn't about tea ceremony. On the other hand, the video you posted is a demonstration of a highly formalised and ritualised Japanese tea ceremony, not an instructional video on how to prepare matcha.

For day to day preparation of both matcha and other types of Japanese tea, there's usually no kind of ceremony involved, and the tea just gets made in a regular way.

The tea ceremonies conducted with either matcha or sencha, however, are all about the ritualisation of the process but, nevertheless, there are still varying degrees of formality—a full blown, proper sadou tea ceremony would be like above and my guess is that it would most likely be done as some kind of demonstration; an actual 'ceremony' between a host and his guests, though, would likely be much more informal and while much of the important ritual will be observed, many of the inconsequential steps will be omitted.

Don't mix the two up though, because a tea ceremony is not at all a reflection of how Japanese tea is made on a daily basis.

Hey Bela' ......... It was a fantastic video. Thank you very much for sharing with us and the goodwill and intent it was meant for. Cheers my good friend.

Originally Posted by PigHog

I don't think those to videos are comparable in any way.

The video fonthunter posted is—despite the music and lack of 'instruction'—an instructional video on how to brew puer in the traditional manner, and isn't about tea ceremony. On the other hand, the video you posted is a demonstration of a highly formalised and ritualised Japanese tea ceremony, not an instructional video on how to prepare matcha.

For day to day preparation of both matcha and other types of Japanese tea, there's usually no kind of ceremony involved, and the tea just gets made in a regular way.

The tea ceremonies conducted with either matcha or sencha, however, are all about the ritualisation of the process but, nevertheless, there are still varying degrees of formality—a full blown, proper sadou tea ceremony would be like above and my guess is that it would most likely be done as some kind of demonstration; an actual 'ceremony' between a host and his guests, though, would likely be much more informal and while much of the important ritual will be observed, many of the inconsequential steps will be omitted.

Don't mix the two up though, because a tea ceremony is not at all a reflection of how Japanese tea is made on a daily basis.

You are right; the two videos are not meant to be compared. However, they are indicative of the great differences between the tea making traditions in these two countries.
Search youtube for Chinese tea ceremonies and you will found the same rituals again and again as the one shown in Bela's post.




This is also the way Chinese usually drink tea in daily basis and this is the way I drink my own tea at home but with less equipment of course.
Chinese tea ceremony is more about tea. Japanese tea ceremony is more about ritual.

The Chinese tea ceremony is very close to the daily way of tea making.



The Japanese one I am sure it is not.

Originally Posted by fonthunter

Hi friends! Enjoy the puerh tea:

Some people talk about tea porn but for me that was tea foreplay!
Only but where she lost me a bit was when she poured the first batch out. What was the reason or significance of that?

The first batch is only tea wake-up call. ...the tea will open. This really poured out.

Originally Posted by Bigirishkev

Only but where she lost me a bit was when she poured the first batch out. What was the reason or significance of that?

When you' ll try your first Pu Erh you will understand why my friend.
The first batch of a strong Pu Erh is almost undrinkable

The reason is that a flash of water for a few seconds is useful to help the aged leaves expand and open and be ready to release their flavors
The other main reason is to prepare the cups with the scent and the character of the Pu Erh tea in order to be ready for the second batch. All equipment must be prepared with the first batch of Pu Erh

Originally Posted by Slur

When you' ll try your first Pu Erh you will understand why my friend.
The first batch of a strong Pu Erh is almost undrinkable

The first I ever tried produced an overpowering smell of dirty tennis shoes. I drank it - the taste had almost nothing to do with the scent that gradually diminished - but I never got over it and never went back for more.

Is there a happy ending with more intelligent prep?

Originally Posted by PigHog

I do believe that you should enjoy whatever tea you like however you like it because it's all about enjoyment. Nevertheless, cherry flavoured sencha with rose petals...I think a little bit of me dies for each leaf adulterated so.

EDIT: At least it's a step it the right direction!

In other news, I'm ready to open my first ever packet of gyokuro (probably tomorrow), as weird as it might sound, I'm actually really looking forward to it! xD

Sorry about any accidental small deaths it may have caused. But you're right, the subtle sencha is obliterated by a lollipop like cherry flavor. It works for late at night at work though, while I wait for the paper to arrive for corrections. Gyokuro must be excellent, I've read about it, and almost bought it, so now you reminded me, might be next on my list. I did try a sencha Kamakura, I bought from Upton Tea. Very present and pleasant aroma and flavor, but it's not overpowering. I loved it. But those I drink more at home, where I can appreciate the flavor and enjoy the relaxation. I bought also at the T'Ifusion store some Longjin and a green Darjeeling, those are at home, where I can enjoy them better.

Originally Posted by Slur

When you' ll try your first Pu Erh you will understand why my friend.
The first batch of a strong Pu Erh is almost undrinkable

The reason is that a flash of water for a few seconds is useful to help the aged leaves expand and open and be ready to release their flavors
The other main reason is to prepare the cups with the scent and the character of the Pu Erh tea in order to be ready for the second batch. All equipment must be prepared with the first batch of Pu Erh

Thanks, this is really helpful. I had bad experiences with Pu Erh, but I'll try this. I have some nice cakes my wife's sister brought me from San Francisco. The first batch tasted bad but it's so good I would drink it and then the tea would improve.